Medical Doctor Loses Appeal Against Conviction for Indecent Assault

Medical doctor Franklin Perkins has lost an appeal against his conviction for indecently assaulting a 19-year-old female.

In March 2018 Dr. Perkins was ordered to pay the victim $10,000 within three months or in default serve a period of six months in jail.

In addition, the 67-year-old was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence.

Dr. Perkins had sought to have the conviction quashed or reduced, insisting that it was a routine medical examination.

However, the Court of Appeal believed that he was given a light sentence, and that the $10,000 compensation was reasonable.

He lost on five grounds of appeal.

·         That the Trial Judge interfered in the case to such an extent that he became another prosecutor in the matter.

·         That the judge failed to carry out a means test and as a result the $10, 000 compensation awarded by the court was too severe in all circumstances

·         That the judge did not properly direct the jury on how to treat with the evidence of the victim’s demeanor

·         That the Judge failed to properly direct the jury on recent complaint, and

·         That the trial judge erred when he failed to allow the accused (Dr. Perkins) to give an unsworn statement from the dock.

The unsworn statement was abolished since the new criminal procedure code came into effect in 2015.

 The court rejected all counts and hence, dismissed the appeal.